Transportation of liquids



Dec. 14, 1937. Y UTH OW 2,102,124

TRANSPORTATION OF LIQUIDS Filed May 10', 1954 s Shets-Sheet 1 Dec. 14, 1937. LlTHGow 2,102,124

TRANSPORTATION OF LIQUIDS I Filed May 10, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 14, 1937.

J. LITHGOW.

TRANSPORTATION OF LIQUIDS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 10, 1954 nfrzyerzfaz". 27077265 Lizfyaw fzm 2% 9/624,

Patented Dec. 14, 1937 PATENT OFFICE TRANSPORTATION 0F LIQUIDS James Lithgow, Chicago, Application May 10, 1934, Serial bio/725,001

4 Claims.

This invention relates to the transportation of liquids, particularly in large quantities, and includes not only the containers therefor and the necessary attachments, but also the method of filling and emptying such containers. While some features of this invention may beadapted for general use, such as the shipment of wines, tomato juice, or other similar liquids or semiliquids, it is particularly directed to the transportation of charged or carbonated liquids, and

, especially beer.

The difllculties incident to the transportation provide for the transportation of liquids, such as beer or the like, in tank cars whereby large quan titles maybe shipped at comparatively low cost from the place of production to the places of distribution.

Among the .objects of this invention are to provide novel means for transporting liquids of the character indicated; to provide an improved tank car having a tank or receptacle which is adapted to receive such liquids and to keep the same in proper condition for a predetermined lengthxof time; to provide a tank'for a railway car which is constructed so that the inner surface will be comparatively smooth and free of any obstructions upon which bacteria might collect; to provide atank car having a tankwith suitable lining or coating for carrying beer or the like; to provide a tank car with novel means for filling and emptying the same and for maintaining a predetermined pressure therein; to provide a tank car of such conformation, as by having the center larger than the ends, so that it may be filled without the entrapment of any-air therein even if the car is not standing in a level position; to provide a tank car for liquids, having a minimum number of fittings to minimize the chance of contamination and also the chance of leakage, particularly when the container is maintained under pressure or vacuum; to provide a tank car which can be easily sterilized and maintained in sterile condition during loading and unloading conditions and also during transportation; to provide means for loading carbonated or effervescent liquids such as beer, pop, or the like, without undue foaming thereof; to provide simiple means for determining the level of the liquid fin the tank or container; to provide a pressure or vacuum relief safety valve or means which will normally seal the container but which will yield under excessive pressure or vacuum and admit sterilized air in the case of excessive vacuum or discharge gas or liquid to the atmosphere in the case of excessive pressure and will maintain the contents of the container in sterile condition; to provide means for sealing the container, particularly when shipping or transporting liquid or alcoholic beverages; to provide means for loading and unloading carbonated liquids such as beer, and maintaining a carbonation thereof during such operation and also during transportation; mechanism which may be removed after the tank or container is filled; to provide an improved coating or lining for the interior of a tank car or the like which will have no effect on the taste of the contents and which will protectthe metal of the container against action which might be caused by the contents; to provide generally for a tank car or container adapted to be mounted on a car which will serve for the transportation of beer or the like, and will tend to cut the cost of transportation thereof; to provide a tank car which is suitably insulated to maintain the contents for a predetermined length of time at approximately the same temperature as when loaded; and more particularly to provide an improved method for filling and emptying a tank car with charged or carbonated liquids or liquids under pressure, or at less than atmospheric pressure. as in vacuum.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention, v

Figure 1 is a side view of my improved tank car with parts shown in section and other parts shown diagrammatically for convenience in illustration;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of a portion of the tank showing the dome with loading and unloading apparatus and other equipment associated therewith;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the arrangement for supplying gas to the container and removing the same therefrom;

Figure 4 is a sectional view illustrating a bottom.loading and unloading attachment including a closing valve;and

Figure 5 is a sectional view showing a special form of valve to prevent foaming when the tank is being filled.

As shown in these drawings ll) illustrates a tank car having any ordinary or preferred form of running gear and frame and including my improved tank or container II which may be mounted on the car and attached thereto in any conventional manner. The tank or container II is preferably formed of sheet metal such as sheet steel and may conveniently be formed in sections such as to provide a level gauge section I2, and section I3 and heads I4, these sections-being welded together as indicated by the joints I5 and the inner surfaces ground smooth so that there will be practically no crevices or projections or obstructions upon which bacteria might collect, this being true of the entire inner surface of the complete tank or container. The tank is preferably made smaller at the ends than at the center, or tapering or converging from the center toward the ends as clearly shown in Fig. 1, so that there will be little or no possibility of air being trapped in the container when it is being filled as might occurif the car were standing on a grade. It will be understood that such taper may be made in accordance with the standard grades of any railroad upon which the car is to be used so that the pitch due to the car standing on the grade as when being filled, will be less than the pitch provided by the taper at the top of the tank. This is particularly necessary to prevent contamination of the contents by any air which might otherwise remain in the tank. The tank or container II has a sump or recess I6 at the bottom into which the contents will drain in order to effectively empty the tank even if it is lying out of level during the unloading operation, the taper or slope of the bottom portion of the tank serving to direct the contents to such recess. An outlet opening or threaded bunghole I1 is provided at the bottom of the recess, this opening having a closing plug I8 preferably made of aluminum, stainless steel, or other material which will not contaminate the contents of the tank. This plug is preferably inserted from the inside of the tank, thus preventing any possibility of unauthorized removal of the same and the arrangement provides an efficient drain to drain the tank when being washed or cleaned.

The tank is provided with a dome I9 which is preferably formed of a single piece of metal, or of parts welded together to provide a smooth inner surface. conforming to the inner surface of the tank. This dome has a flange 20 which fits closely against the surface of the tank and which is welded thereto. The shell of the tank extends for some distance inwardly beyond the dome flange and has a hole or passageway 24 to provide communication between the tank and the dome, this hole being preferably sufficiently large to permit a man to pass therethrough.

In the construction of an all-welded tank or container of large size, such as contemplated herein, it is necessary or desirable to anneal the entire structure after the parts have been welded together. of course with a large container such as the present tank, large furnaces must be provided for heating the same for annealing and during the annealing operations orbaking the lining therein, more or less strains are set up in the container and attached parts, such as the dome, which necessitates the effective attachment of the dome to the shell, as above described, to prevent cracks in the parts or the separating of the dome fromthe shell. It will also be understood that the construction of the tank is such that it may be inspected as by means of X-rays and tested in the various ways necessary to be acceptable under government, railway or other regulations.

The dome I9 has an upwardly projecting neck 25 with an outwardly extending flange 26 for receiving a cover 21 which has a centrally depressed portion 28 and an outwardly extending flange portion 29 which rests on the flange 26. The cover is held in any suitable manner as by means of eye bolts 30 which are pivoted at 3I to lugs on the dome and which engage with slots in the flanges with their nuts 32 pressing on the top of the cover as shown. A gasket may be interposed in the usual manner between the flanges to make a tight closure. This provides a convenient means for securing the cover and prevents the loss of the bolts.

The entire tank and dome, with the exception of the necessary inlets and outlets are covered with insulating material 33 of any suitable kind which is protected and held in position by a sheet metal casing or jacket 34. I also provide an insulating cap or cover 35 for enclosing the dome cover and another similar insulating cap or cover 36 for covering an inlet and outlet opening. In some cases the covers 35 and 36 may be formed integrally or as one cover if desired. These covers are secured to the insulating jacket over the dome in any suitable manner as by means of the fastenings 31 and are preferably formed so that they may be sealed while in transportation to conform with the requirements provided by law for shipping alcoholic liquids or the like. Such sealing means is also beneficial in shipping other through the neck and through a hole M in the top of the tank shell and terminates at a short distance above the bottom of the sump or recess I6 as shown particularly in Figure 1. The lower end of this pipe is braced or fastened by a suitable clamp or support 42 which is welded .to the tank. This pipe is preferably made of aluminum but may be made of other suitable material, depending upon the contents of the container or liquids to be shipped therein. The upper end of the pipe 40 is connected with a valve 43 which has a flange 44 that rests on the flange 39 and is held by means of bolts 45. A gasket 46 is preferably inserted between the flanges to make a tight closure. The valve 43 may be of any of the well known types, such as a globe or gate valve, but is preferably of the type shown in Figure 2. This valve and the parts connected therewith may be readily removed for cleaning or sterilizing the pipe 40 or for other purposes. One branch 41 of the valve body is threaded to receive a correspondingly threaded portion of a sight glass 48. The opposite end of this glass or member is provided with a threaded end or fitting 49 for connection with a hose or pipe 50 required for the delivery or removal of the contents of the tank.

When the car is being prepared for transit the sight glass or inspection member 48 is removed and the threaded portion 41 of the valve is covered and protected by a cap 5| which is attached by means of a chain 52 to the body of the valve or fitting 43. A similar cap or cover 53 is provided for covering the valve stem 54, the adjacent portion of the valve body being threaded for receiving the same. The caps 5I and 53 may be provided with holes 55 for receiving a sealing wire or the like so that they may be sealed to prevent unauthorized opening during transit.

Suitable means are provided for introducing gas into the tank II and permitting the discharge ofthe same as required. In the particular arrangement shown, a valve 56 has a body with a threaded stem 51 which engages with a suitable threaded opening in the cover 21 as shown particularly in v sure member 11, the arrangement being such that when the tube is removed the lowerend of such be a collector tank such as the tank I I.

.or screws 8|.

jclosure. When the car is prepared for shipment this coupling and parts connected therewith are removed andthe threaded end 58 is covered by a cap (H which is attached to the cover by achain or flexible connection 62. The valve stem 63 is also covered by a cap 64 which is attached-to the cover by a flexible connection 65, these parts also being preferably perforated for receiving a sealing wire of the character and for the purposes above described in connection with the valve 43.

The pipe 68 is connected with one branch of a T coupling or connection 66. The pipefi'l leads from one branch of the T and connects with a pressure relief valve 68 of any suitable kind which may be adjusted to relieve the pressure in the tank when it reaches a predetermined amount. The

pipe 61 is provided with a valve 69 for opening and closing, the passageway therethrough. A pipe or hose I8 is connected with: the inlet of the pressure relief valve 68. This pipe may be connected at its other end to a gas collectingtank II, such as commonly found in breweries, for collecting gas, or it may be connected with the gas inlet of another tank the same as described herein. Or if desired, it might also be opened to the atmosphere.

A hose or pipe 12 leads from the other branch of the T 66 to any suitable source of supply of gas for supplying gas to the tank, which may also The pipe I2 is also provided with a valve 14 for controlling the passageway therethrough.

The tank is provided with a pressure or air gauge and a liquid level gauge which are preferably arranged for ready removal from the container. These gauges are preferably mounted in the cover 21. A bushing or fitting I extends through a hole I6 in the cover I and makes a tight connection therewith. The hole 16 is'adapted to be closed at times by a resilient valve or collapsible cup-shaped member 'I'I which has a flange I8 resting on the flange portion of the bushing I6 and has a tubular portion projecting downwardly into the tank. Thevalve or closure member 11 is held in position by means of a hearing or fitting I9 which has a flange 88 engaging with the flange I8, these parts being held in sealed relation by bolts A tube 82 extends through the bearing or fitting I9 down to a point which is intended to be the top level to which the tank is to be fllled, and which level is preferably at a substantial distance up in the dome I9. The tube 82 is formed of aluminum or other material suitable for'the purposes and extends down through a tubular portion of the collapsible cloclosure member-will collapse to close the passageway therethrough and prevent the escape of gas. The tube 82 may be detachably mounted in any convenient manner as by having a collar 83 adjacent its upper'end which engages with a gasket or washer interposed between the same and the bearing I9. The collar is pressed-downwardly by means of a nut or threaded member 84 which engages with the threadeduppe'r por tion of the bearing I9. I

A three-way cock or valve 85 is connectedwith j the upper end of the tube 82 and is provided with through the collapsible member 11 closes.

the usual handle 86 and with an outlet opening 81 at one side thereof. .A pressure or air gauge 88 is mounted above the valve 85, and serves to measure the pressure within the tank. When the valve is turned in one direction communication is made between the tank and the gaugeand when turned in another'direction communication is made between the tank and the outlet orifice to the atmosphere. The third position of the valve closes the passageway through the tube.

When these gauges are removed as for shipping, the nut 84 is unscrewed from the fitting,

which releases the tube 82 and parts connected therewith and as the tube is withdrawn the hole 'In order to provide a further closure and to protect the parts a cap 89 is provided which is screwed onto the fitting 19 to close the passageway therethrough. This cap is preferably attached to the cover by means of a chain 98 and is also preferably provided with holes 9i, as with the previously described caps, for receiving sealing wires.

The tank is also preferably provided with an overload or safety device which will yield under excessive'pressures in the tank or when the pressure is reduced below a predetermined amount. This relief device is preferably arranged on the dome I9 as shown particularly in Figure 2. The

dome has an upwardly extending neck orcylinber 83 is mounted in the projection 82 and has an upper flange 94 which engages with a flange 95 on the neck. These parts are held together in any suitable manner as by means of bolts 96 and a gasket or packing 91 is inserted therebetween to make .a tight closure. The cup'93 has an inwardly projecting flange 98 at the bottom leaving a central opening 99. A disc I88 of lead or other suitable yielding or'frangible material rests on the flange 98 and serves to close the opening 99. A metal ring or washer IN is placed on the disc and these parts are securely clamped t'othe flange 98 by means of bolts I82 to make a leak-proof seal. The bolts I82 extend upwardly to approximately the top of the cup 93 and a plurality of screens I83 are preferably extending across the cup. These screens may be made of any suitable material such as bronze, copper or the like, and when the safety device operates as by breaking of the seal or disc I8 8 due to excessive pressure in the tank, serve to provide foam separators and prevent undue foaming of thedischarge.

When the tank is used for shipment of products totbe carried under vacuum'conditions, or at less than atmospheric pressure, the cup or cylinder 93 is provided with a chemically treated sponge I84 or other suitable filtering material which may be interposed between the screens or otherwise arranged in the cylindrical member. If the disc I88 is fractured or broken due to reduced pressure in the tank,.air will be admitted to relieve the pressure but such air will be sterilized and cleaned by passing through the sponge or filteringand sterilizing material so that it will not contaminate the contents of the tank.

A dust shield I85 is provided to prevent dust or cinders from getting into contact with the contents of the cup or cylinder 93 and at the.

outlet opening and plug I8 could also be omitted from the bottom of the tank. In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, a valve body I08 is connected directly with the bottom of the sump or depression I6 and depends downwardly therefrom. This body is provided with a flange which may be welded or otherwise secured in a tight manner to the bottom of the tank. The lower end of the valve body is preferably reduced and threaded as shown at I09-for connection with a hose or pipe for filling or emptying purposes. A cap I I0 is used for closing the outlet during transit, this cap being connected with the valve body by means of a chain III. A groove such as a V-groove H2 may be provided in the casting of the valve body below the valve mechanism in order to comply with the requirements of the Association of American Railroads which provide that a tank car for railroad service must have its weakest point beneath the valve mechanism.

The casting or valve body is formed to receive a valve seat H3 made of suitable metal such as bronze or the like, which may be threaded into the valve body but which preferably has a pressed fit therein. The valve seat has an in clined or tapered surface H4 which is engaged by the valve H5 which is correspondingly tapered to. engage therewith. The valve has a downwardiy projecting stem H6 and radially arranged guide members II1, the latter being formed to slide on the inner wall of the valve cage or seat H3. The valve cage has inwardly extending arms H8 at the bottom which support a bearing H9 for the valve rod H6. The valve stem extends downwardly below this hearing and carries a spring I20. The upper end of the spring abuts against the bearing H9 and the lower end engages with a washer I2I which may be adjusted by a nut I22 on the lower end of the stem. This arrangement is such that the spring tends to hold the valve H5 normallyin closed position.

In order to open the valvewhen desired a cam shaft I23 is operatively mounted in the valve body or housing. One end of. the shaft engages with a bearing I24 in the side of the valve body and the opposite end extends outwardly through a bushing I25 which is secured to the side of the body by bolts I26. The bushing is threaded at I21 to receive a gland I28 which coacts with the packing I29 to make a tight closure. A cam I30 is formed on the shaft or attached thereto and is positioned below the valve stem H6 and is adapted to coact therewith to open the valve when the shaft is turned. The outer end of the shaft is preferably square as shown at I3I for engagement by a key or wrench for turning the same. The bushing or fitting I25 is also threaded exteriorly at I32 to receive a cap I33 which makes a tight closure to prevent any possible leakage around the shaft. This cap is attached to the car by means of a chain I34 and may also be provided with holes for sealing wires as previously explained. The

valve casting or body I08 may also be provided with a pet cock I35 in order to facilitate sterilization.

A modified form of valve is shown in Figure 6 which is intended to prevent foaming. This valve is intended to be used in a similar manner as the valve H5 but in this instance the valve proper I36 projects upwardly into the tank and its upper portion is of considerably larger diameter than the inlet opening. It is provided with an annular curved portion I31 extending upwardly and outwardly from the valve seat which provides a spreading surface to guide the flow of liquid entering through the valve when loading. The liquid will be directed at approximately right angles to the axis of the valve stem which reduces foaming when loading liquids which are liable to foam, because the incoming liquid is forced along-the bottom of the container, having no tendency to rise. On the contrary when liquid is forced in an upward direction, particularly through the liquid in the tank, with sufficient force, it will foam upon reaching the surface.

The method of transporting carbonated liquids such as beer, including the use of the tank equipped as shown in Figure 1, is substantially as follows. The covers 35 and 36 are removed from the dome and the caps 5| and 53 are removed from the valve 43. A pipe line is then connected to the inlet of the valve and steam or any suitable sterilizing liquid or other sterilizing medium, is admitted to thetank at suitable temperature and for a. sufficient time to thoroughly sterilize the same. As it is necessary to remove all of the air from the tank before-loading, the cover 21 and the fracturing disc I00 are removed and the tank or container is filled with water through the valve 43 until it floods over the highest point. On account of the tank being of smaller diameter at the ends or having its upper surface portion sloped toward the center, all of the air will be driven therefrom and entrapment of the air at the ends is avoided. While I have shown and described the tank proper as having smaller ends or sloping toward the center to avoid entrapment of the air it will be apparent that this result might be obtained by other means such as pipes (not shown) connected with the ends of the tank and with the dome, or a sloping channel (not shown) along the tank top connected with the dome could also be used to serve to overcome the entrapment of the air. The water used for filling the tank or container and driving out the air is usually chilled to pre-cool the car to the desired temperature, which in the case of beer is approximately 32 F. When the tank has thus been fllled with water, the cover 21 and the fracturing disc I00 and parts connected therewith are replaced, and the water supply shut off. The

hose or conduit from the water supply to the valve 43 is disconected either from the valve or at its other end and a conduit or hose connected to the valve 43 to provide for the removal of the water in the tank. The cap 89 is removed and the pressure gauge and liquid level gauge is applied to the hearing or fitting 19 as shown in Figure 2, and the cock 85 is turned'to connect the pressure gauge with the tank or container. The conduit or pipe 12 from the CO2 gas supply'is connected with the T 66 and the T in turn connected with the valve 56 by means of the nut 69 to complete the'connection from the pipe to the tank. The valve 69 is then closed and the of the water has been driven out, the valve 43 is closed and the CO2 gas allowed to build up the desired pressure inside the tank which is usually about fifteen pounds per square inch in the case of beer. When the desired pressure'is obtained in the tank, the gas inlet valve 14 is closed. and the valve 69 opened, allowing the gas to exert its pressure against the relief valve 68 which is preferably conn'ectedby means of the pipe 10 to a gas collecting tank. The valve 43 is closed and the water outlet hose is disconnected and beer or carbonated liquid hose'onconduit is then connected with this valve.

The valve 43 is then opened and the beer or liquid allowed to flow therethrough into the container. -As the tank is filled the gas is forced through the relief valve 68 and pipe ID into the collecting tank such as the tank ll. It'will be noted that the pressure inside the tank orcontainer is maintained at the pres-- sure at which the relief valve is settocontrol the same. By maintaining the pressure for beer at approximately fifteen pounds per square inch, all foaming is prevented and there is no loss of carbonation. When the beer or carbonated liquid is flowing into the container, the cock 85 is turned to shut off pressure from the pressure gauge 88 and opened to allow gas from the container to flow through the outlet hole or orifice 81, it being understood that this hole is sufficiently small to prevent undue escape of gas.

When the liquid reaches the bottom tube 82 it will be forced up through the tube and out through the hole 81 in the cock 85, thus indicating that the tank had been filled to the proper level. As previously explained, the lower end of the tube 82 is set at the heightdesired to carry the liquid in the containerso that when liquid fiows out through the hole 81 the valve. 43 is closed and the liquid conduit disconnected therefrom and the cook 85 is also turned to closed position.

The lower end of the tube 82v is terminated so that the liquid fills the tank and also the lower portion of the dome l9 far-"enough to substantially limit the surging in transit to the contents of the dome. to the tank which provides a baffle plate between the dome and the body of the tank and the filling of .the same in this manner to prevent surging and foaming forms an important feature of this invention. x a

After the tank has been filled the pressure and depth gauges are removed from the fitting 19 and in doing this the tube 82 should. be pulled up rapidly so that when the lower end of the tube passes the lower end of the flexible cylinder portion 11 the sides of the cylinder are collapsed or pressed together'by the pressure inside the tank and form a seal to prevent escape of the gas from the tank, After the gauges have thus been removed the cap 89 is screwed into position to seal the opening through the fitting 19. The caps and 53 are applied to the valve 43 and caps 6| and 64 are applied to the valve 56. By the use of such caps all of the openings are provided with double seals which is very desirable because'any loss in pressure during transit might causeinjury to the contents-of the tank and serious loss to the shipper. -The foam separator or sterilizing means I03'and H14 are then The connection of'the dome unloaded as follows. The outlet connections are sterilized and gas supply connections attached as for loading, the valves 56 and 14 being opened and the valve 69 closed. The caps on the valve 43 are removed and a hose or conduit connected to the valve 43 and leading to a racking machine or storage tanks or other point of discharge. The racker or storage tanks (not shown) are filledfrom any suitable source with CO2 gas at the desired pressure to prevent foaming and loss of carbonation. The valve 43 is thenopened, also the gas supply valve, being careful that sufficient pressure is maintained in the tank or container to prevent loss of car-- bonation. The gas displaces or drives out the liquid in the container and owing to the fact that the end of the discharge pipe 4|] is close to the bottom of the recess IS, the entire contents are removed even though the tank may be slightly out of level. This also applies to the displacement of the water when loading. When the liquid has been displaced or driven out, the outlet conduit is removed from the valve 43 and the tankis thoroughly washed to remove gas so that men can enter the same if necessary.

It is evident that the loading and unloading mechanism could be removed before and after loading or unloading in a similar manner to that employed in removing the pressure gauge and height gauge fitting. This would minimize possible breakage of the pipe 40 and would lessen the chance of leaks and contamination.

When the tank or container is equipped with a bottom loading and unloading valve such as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the method of filling and emptying the tank would be substantially as above described and will be readily understood ,by those familiar with such operation. This arrangement would have the advantage of having fewer parts inside the tank which might cause contamination and would be preferable when used to transport certain types of liquids.

The insulating of the tank is a desirable feature which would result in additional saving to the user, the beer or liquid being loaded in a precooled container at 32 F. could easily be shipped across country or for long distances, even in summer, in a well insulated tank car such as de scribed, without rising over the limiting temperature of 44 F. The large volume of liquid carried in the container is responsible to a great extent for this improvement. This arrangement would avoid all icing charges to the shippers and would also cutout the expensive repairs to the interiors of ordinary refrigerator cars caused through top icing of beer shipments.

The considerable saving in transit due to the use of my improved tank car is evident. One

or similar carbonated beverages, it is evident that sterile air, or even atmospheric air, could be used in connection with some products that are not carbonated. It is also evident that CO2 gas could be used whether the liquid is carbonated or not, because in liquids that are not carbonated, the fact that they come in contact with CO2 would in many cases have no effect as it requires considerable agitation over a period of time for any liquid to absorb CO2 gas. Other liquids could be loaded and unloaded by gravity, especially when using the bottom valves shown in Figures 4 and 5, a sterile air inlet being attached to the valve 56 if required. It is usual to insert a sight glass or glass gauge such as the glass 48 between the unloading valve mechanism and the hose or conduit.

It is also evident that in shipping some products, such as wort, it would be beneficial to use a non-insulated container, thereby lowering the temperature of the contents during transit and effecting considerable saving to the operators in refrigeration since it is necessary to reduce the temperature of wort to 36 F. for fermentation.

From this description it will be apparent to those familiar with the commercial transporting of liquids that my improved tank car and apparatus associated therewith and also my improved method conform to the requirements of the Bureau of Explosives, particularly in that 3% excess is allowed for expansion in a pressure vehicle of this nature. It also conforms to the requirements with regard to welding, annealing of the complete container and X-ray examination thereof. The rules of the Association of American Railroads are also complied with as my improved car was accepted thereby and received classification for regular service. The container and method also conform to the requirements of the Bureau of Pure Foods and Drugs and the regulations of the Internal Revenue Department, with respect to alcoholic liquids whereby the same may be utilized for interstate shipments.

While I have demonstrated the practicability of shipment of large quantities of beer in my improved tank car such as shown and described herein, it is apparent that modifications may be made in the method or in the construction of the apparatus in order to adapt the same for different materials to-be shipped or for different conditions. It is thought that the numerous advantages of my invention will be understood from the foregoing description, and it is obvious that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention, and therefore I do not wish to be limited to such particular features except as specified in the following claims, in which I claim:

1. A beer transporting tank, means for rigidly securing the tank on a railway truck, said tank including a lining or inner surface of a material adapted to resist the reaction of the liquid contents, a dome at approximately the center of the tank and from which the body of the tank tapers in opposite directions to the ends thereof to prevent formation of air 'or gas pockets in the body thereof and to drain the contents to a central point in the bottom of the tank, the walls of the tank and dome being insulated to assist in maintaining the bulk of the liquid contents at a low temperature during transportation, a baflle plate at the bottom of the dome having a comparatively small central opening therein leading into the dome to limit surging of the liquid to the con itl lts;

of the dome only; together with a filling and emptying valved pipe connecting with the tank at the lowest point of the bottom thereof, whereby the tank mounted rigidly on the railway truck facilitates the shipping of beer and similar carbonated liquids to distant points.

2. Abeer transporting tank, means for rigidly securing the tank on a railway truck, said tank including a lining or inner surface of a material adapted to resist the reaction of the liquid contents, a dome at approximately the center of the tank and from which the body of the tank tapers in opposite directions to the ends thereof to prevent formation of air or gas pockets at said ends and to drain the contents to a central point in the bottom of the tank, the walls of the tank and dome being insulated to assist in maintaining the bulk of the liquid contents at a low temperature during transportation, a baffle plate at the bottom of the dome having a comparatively small central opening therein leading into the dome to relieve surging of the liquid within the body of the tank; together with a filling and emptying valved pipe extending into the tank to the lowest point of the bottom thereof, means for indicating the level of the liquid within the dome, a safety device including a frangible disc and a filter, responsive to excessive pressure within the tank, and a valved inlet for introducing gaseous pres sure within the tank during the emptying of the contents, whereby the particular construction of the tank rigidly mounted on the railway truck facilitates the shipping of beer and similar carbonated liquids to distant points.

3. Apparatus for transporting beer comprising a metal tank of large capacity having a lining which is resistant to any chemical action of the beer and having a permanent heat insulating covering, said tank also being tapered from the center toward the ends and having a relatively small opening at the top with a dome of substantially larger diameter than said opening whereby the walls around the opening will act as a baiile between the dome and the interior of the tank, a filling and emptying pipe extending into the tank having anopen end adjacent to the bottom of the tank at the lowest portion thereof, a gas inlet and outlet pipe having its open end adjacent to the top of the tank, valves for said pipes, and means for rigidly securing the tank on a railway car with its longitudinal axis lengthwise of the car.

4'. A metallic shipping tank of large capacity for shipping beer, for the purposes set forth,

having a lining of suitable material to protect the liquid transported therein and having a permanent heat insulating covering which will serve to maintain the temperature of the liquid in the tank for a predetermined time and within predetermined limits; the tank being tapered from the center toward the ends to provide for escapement of gas from the ends and to drain toward the center, a dome at the center communicating with the interior of the tank, a baflle plate between the tank and the dome having a small opening therein leading into the dome, a valve controlled filling and emptying pipe communicating with the central bottom portion of the tank, a valve controlled gas inlet and outlet communieating with the top central portion of the tank, a pressure relief valve to control the pressure while filling the tank, and means for rigidly securing the tank to a railway car.

JAMES LITHGOW. 

